The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-11-05

village with guns against cannons. with
twelve men against five hundredP'
"It is better 10 die on French soil in
fighting than in German prison"
But you will not be taken: leave
Immediately that barricade that you
can not hold any longer; turn on the
right when you reach the end Of the
village. and take a refuge in the for
est. 4"
"And you?"
81! am too old 10 walk"
1--WE shall carry you
"No, thanks; in this village ! was
born; in this village want 10 die; be-
sides that confde my Jacquelinc to
you, Captain. Have you any children
YOURSELF"
-Four"
"Thcn / nm tranquil on her fate.
Adieu. Captain! Adieu, soldiers. my
young comrades, and Viye Ia Francer
H.
The Germans advanced. The firing
had decreased on the French side; all
at once it ceased completely. Papa
Pierre had no more cartridges left.
He opened his door, entered his
cabin, threw glance on the likeness
Of his granddaughter, then on II wooden
crucifx and awaited the enemy.
One by one the Germans climbed
over the barrIcade.
"Ah! there he is. the old devil" ex-
claimed a siN-foot corporal. IL was
o,,ro ,f o,.;,,, hin, Gtiufr Of n. -
That Corporal. Hermann by name.
had been "A workman in the village Of
Chaile for years, and he knew every
inhabitant intimately.
A Colonel, pushing his way through
his soldiers. said to Papa Pierre:
"Show your hands, man.
The old man showed his hands. They
were black with powder.
"Kill him." yelled the officer.
Herman thrust his bayonct in the
breast Of the old man. A moment Papa
Pierre staggered on his legs. then fell
face downward,
The brave patriot, the valiant soldier
was dead.
"Quick--bring some straw cried
the officer. "Lct Us burn that village
as we did Bazcilc. That will teach n
lesson TO these rascals of Frcnchmcn."
III.
Hermann had not left the house; he
lighted candle and descended into the
cellar.
An! ha! He was Ia get good drink
Of Papa Picrrc's wine. The old scoun-
drcl; so it was he who had resisted his
comrades 80 long and killed not few
Of them. He had no regret for having
assassinatcd dcfenseless enemy, the
man who had protected his home. Had
he not refused him the hand Of his
granddaughter and promised it To
Francois. II soldier Of the Third Iou
avcs? In regard to him, Hermann had
joined the German army-as he was
in duty bound To- do. being n German
and he had always wished for thing,
which vas To return in the village
where he had found hospitality and
work when in need Of both To settle his
account with Papa Pierre, tho vine
dresser.
Anu MS WISH nau Dcen Branleu.
He was in the middle Of his joyful
reflections when he heard somebody
calling Hermann, Hermann" He
recognized the voice Of Jacqueline,
who. rcgaining her senses, had refused
To follow the Captain and his men, and
had returned in search of her grand
father from the top IF the ladder con-
ductir To the cellar She was look
ing inside and she saw the assassin
corporal, whom she knew we'll
Hermann. in the name of God, did
you see my grandfather"
"Well, yes, did. Now, wiz you be
my wifeP' asked he, drinking from
bottle that ale had taken in the cellar.
"Oh. Hermann. tell me where Re
is"
Where he lisp Ny dear and hand
some Frenchwoman, if they have not
changed his resting place he is there
on the floor near the table, where l
stretched him with my bayonet,'
He tried to climb up the ladder,
loaded with bottles.
"Oh. miserable wrctch" exclaimed
Jacqucline.
Quicker than the wind, ut the mo-
ment when the head of the German
appeared at the level of the floor, she
took him by his long beard and threw
him back in the cellar Then she shut
the heavy trap door. put across the
iron bar that was used TO fastcn il and
went out.
"Who is that womanP' said the
Colonel. ARREST her and let us go. y
The burning began. From the four
corners of the village the Aamcs as
ccndcd towards Heaven.
When they were about two hundred
yards from the village they stopped
and first sergeant read the roll call.
All answered their names but one
Hermann!
Where is that bruteP' asked an
officer.
Many answered that they had seen
him in the young girls hone.
Bring her here commanded the
Colonel.
When Jacquelinc stood b. fore that
officer he said to her in French;
"Do you know where is corporal
who remained in your houScP'
She answered not
..Tcn voluntpcrs here Tie that Girl